Kite Surfing Tropical Storm Fay

Kite Surfing Helmet?????

Never seen any of 'em wearing helmets... I bet this guy wishes he did.

Also, there are a couple different styles of kite surfing. Some guys get huge air (50+ ft), and some guys just go fast and skim along the water. One minute you'll see a guy way out (1/4 mi.), and you'll think, "Damn he better watch himself." Then, in no more than 60 seconds, he'll be right near the beach. They go really fast. Then, the guys that get big air, just mess around trying to find the best wind. The problem is, once they're in the air, they have very little control over where they land. So, they usually get far away from the beach before launching into the air.

Never seen any of 'em wearing helmets... I bet this guy wishes he did.

Also, there are a couple different styles of kite surfing. Some guys get huge air (50+ ft), and some guys just go fast and skim along the water. One minute you'll see a guy way out (1/4 mi.), and you'll think, "Damn he better watch himself." Then, in no more than 60 seconds, he'll be right near the beach. They go really fast. Then, the guys that get big air, just mess around trying to find the best wind. The problem is, once they're in the air, they have very little control over where they land. So, they usually get far away from the beach before launching into the air.
We have a place in Nags Head NC on the beach, and watch these guys all the time and GhettoDog has it about right. The good riders have more control of their flight and can guide themself while in the air. I think this person was getting ready to go out when the wind kicked up and snatched them down the beach. It was clear they were not in the water and I never saw a board. I have seen these guys when they do not have the kite attached to their body harness it gets ripped out of their hands with not much of a wind blowing. They have to be strapped in as they use their body weight to offset the wind and it just too much preasure to hold onto the handle.